The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1887-12-01
HEN TAIIK,
Il FEH r.!e..~-- ---.---- q tEEF&5
iiNami'leanr Fowl Language In tie
Harnyard, T EN y

l. 4.
AS am example 2of bird language,
the ordinary domestic fowl presents the
most Interesting anu perfect range, so
common that it id rarely considered or
reflected upon, not few will, be aston
ished at tho vocal possibilities of the
hen If they will give the subject q little
investigation. Knowing that the hen
has voice, we assume that its Office Is
TO afford communicate between in,
diyiduals. Half an hour 10 aSfarm.
yard will, beyond question. .demonstrat te
this, and that certain sounds are the
equivalents Of words. The crow of
the cock is assuredly y challenge, the
moment another bird is noticed and is
Kept up either III advance or retreat.
1t Is sounded in the morning in answer
to others, and is comparable to the
challenge or war cry OF so many savage
tribes, or even tho answering shouts,of
college boys or meii, that are lnexplain-
able on other grounds than u challenge
of merits. Observing closely our
rooster, accompanied by his family, we
notice that the hen 'mysno attent lon I o
the challenge, but lot him find some
dellcacy, hc utters q succession OF short
notes, "TucK. tuck, tuck. tuck |" upon
which the others rush about h,m eager
to share. Again, if a hawk flies over
head, therock, guardian of the flock,
raises his head and ntters a prolonged
note, as different from the former az
possible; "Ka-r.r-r"e," he seems to say,
which translated INTO English, means
Look out for the hawk run ~ and
Immediately hens and chickens duck
their heads and rush for cover. Now.
let a$dog dart after the head Of this
family and listen to the clucks and
other sounds coming fast anu furious
protests in every intonation. . The
hen cannot crow, but, she has in other
respects as perfect control Of, lahgnage
as her master. Indeed, she can sing,
purely SELF congratulatory perror.
nance, expressive Of deep contentment
and complete satisfaction, heard when
hens are let out and they are running
ioi- Aoou, @Au Vpoiil WoAm SudJS Ill
Spring it is @ "kerr, kerr, KERR differ
ing Id its modulation and information in
individuals. How, different is this
rom the sharp t'cluck, cluekn OF the
mother hen.G The latter is general
warning to everybody and plainly says.
"I have a young family and must be
let alone.' If,2 Grain is found how
suddenly this Is clian,, to tue quick
call, ''Tuclh tuck, stuckas 1pon hear
ing which the little ones come cushing
gpell rnclI, and they understand it the
moment they leave the shell. Indeed,
the different notes, or baby talk Of a
hen are OF great variety. No one
would think Of saying that tue "cut,
tcut, ca-deicut' was a call 1T says as
plain as words can2telL 81 have laid an
egg, iaapd the bright little egg hunter
who hears Immediately starts for the
sllay loft, as a favorite hound OF mine
was in a habit Of doing She under
stood hen lang uage apd fed upon freshly
laid eggs for somel time beforei Itdis-
covered that shesWas such "a linguist.
Tho moment 'scut, cut, caada&cut,,, was
Iieard she tiotted 20 the hen coop.
When the little chicks are nestled Under
tho mother another sound, IS heard q q
prolonged shoarse 'ictrsayw-z.z.e,S Scara-
w-z.z-e,'' which ] copy from a happy